I am a newbie to PHP + Mysql. I have a development environment and I have been able setup php and mysql. PHP works fine when I run non database script. MySql also works fine from command prompt, ( I can create table etc). My Problem, however is my inability to get my php script to connect to my mysql database. I have installed odbc drivers for mysql, that is, I can set a datasource that points to mysql database but I am unable (don't know) how to point my datasource from php. In most other web development language like cold fusion, i can reference my datasource from my code. I have the following questions regarding Php + mysql that I'll appreciate you answering for me.

I have gone through the readme file that comes with the distribution of php 4.0

1. Can you explain to me how to properly setup mysql + php. I have uncommented my the windows extension for mysql "extension=php_mysql.dll" in my php.ini file.

2. What is the correct location for php.ini file . I put mine in the "C:WINNTphp.ini"

3. My current environment is development for development, i am eventually going to move to production environment on a unix/linux machine.Will all the odbc connection be valid on unix? If not, is there a way making database connection portable across operating systems and platforms.

4. How do I install the php extension modules eg "extension=php_mssql.dll" or "extension=php_ldap.dll" on windows?

5. I came across function "odbc_connect()" in php how is it different from "mysql_connect".

6 . Is Odbc the only way of connecting to mysql from PHP script on the Windows NT platform.

...you also need to make sure that the 'extensions_dir' setting in your php ini points to the directory where the phpx_mysql.dll lives.....
you do not need odbc to connect php & mysql on NT.
you can find more install help on www.webmonkey.com & www.php.net